[ October 7, 1997 ]
Wall of Sound: Vegas
Wall of Sound
The Beautiful South Goes Vegas
Anders Wright
October 7, 1997
The Beautiful South is one of the best-selling bands in the U.K., but they've never really caught on in the U.S., or, for that matter, matched the success some members of the group achieved here in the mid-eighties when they were part of the Housemartins.
Singer Dave Hemingway, however, shrugs off the band's lackluster American sales. "In Britain, we've got several radio stations that play everything. Here, everything is pigeonholed," he told Wall of Sound during a recent excursion to Las Vegas. "We don't quite fit into those niches, so we don't get much radio play. But that also gives us the freedom to play what we like."
One can't blame the band for growing accustomed to mainstream acceptance; in 1994, the South released a greatest hits compilation, Carry On up the Charts, which became one of the fastest selling albums in British history. The band's latest, Blue Is the Color, is a lush collection of sensitive pop songs featuring three different vocalists, including Hemingway. Blue was released in the U.S. two weeks ago, and Hemingway says the band may tour Stateside in support of the album, budget permitting: "We love to tour in the States, but we lose so much money every time we do it. We just can't afford to do it all the time."
For now, the singer is enjoying his trip across the pond and letting others do the playing. Hemingway says he's caught several acts in Vegas, including fellow countrymen Blur, a band he sees as a perfect double-bill partner for his own group. "I don't really care who would open. I'd love to open for them, so I could get to the pub quicker." Aside from music, Hemingway is enjoying two of America's greatest pastimes: gambling and, somewhat surprisingly, baseball, "Blackjack's my game, but I'm not very good at it," he confesses. "I think some of the dealers are making payola off of me." As for baseball, it would appear the Indians have picked up another fan. "I've caught several New York and Cleveland matches on the TV here. I'd like to see Cleveland win the series. I've been there, and I really liked the fans."
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